Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Williams of Crosby (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 26 October 2005.

Iraq: Security Forces

Question: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply, and draw attention particularly to his final sentence where he points out that we are heavily dependent on the future of the Iraq security forces in order to enable us to relieve the burden of having so many troops in Iraq at the present time. However, is he aware of the casualty rate in September alone? In that month alone—according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, whose facts have not been questioned by the US Government—498 members of the security forces lost their lives. That is a rate of over 3 per cent of the total strength of the Iraq security forces. In particular, is he aware that, on 27 September in Baquba, no fewer than 12 would-be police recruits lost their lives and 30 others were seriously wounded, and that on the following day, in Tal Afar, seven would-be recruits to the Iraqi army were killed and another 37 wounded? Would the Minister care to comment on what steps we can take to protect these loyal and courageous people?

Answer: My Lords, the noble Baroness is absolutely right to highlight the tragic loss of life in the Iraqi security forces. It is absolutely fundamental that we do everything that we can to help the forces as they gain strength to develop the capability to be able to defend themselves properly and to take over the security of Iraq. I am able to report this week in the House that 206,000 members of the security forces are now in place. As noble Lords will remember, last week the figure was 200,000 and the week before 190,000. A significant increase in numbers is taking place. The key to their protection is in the adoption of the knowledge that we developed in Northern Ireland in the work that we do. I am afraid that I cannot go into the details in the House, but I can say that we are seeing an improvement in the capability of the security forces in their operations in Iraq.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 674 c1162-3
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Casualties Iraq Protection Police Recruitment Security Peacekeeping operations
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk